North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes may be good fit for Raptors

North Carolina's Harrison Barnes may be good fit for Raptors

TORONTO — Ed Davis was never a college teammate of Harrison Barnes.

Davis, the Toronto Raptors power forward, left the University of North Carolina after his sophomore year, declaring for the 2010 NBA draft. Barnes, a highly touted small forward, started his college career with the Tar Heels in the autumn of 2010. By then, Davis was rehabilitating a knee injury as a member of the Raptors.

Still, the Tar Heels community can be a tight one, and Davis knows Barnes well. To Raptors fans who are monitoring the performances of draft prospects in the NCAA tournament, looking forward to the team’s sure-to-be-high pick in June, Davis has a message.

“He’s going to be good,” Davis said of Barnes before his Raptors lost to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night. “He’s going to be a better pro than a college player. The college game slows him down.”

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That presents a problem for members of NBA front offices — who are not allowed to comment on potentially draft eligible players until they have officially declared for the June draft. The college game is vastly different than the pro game, with the differences including a longer shot clock, more stringent coaching systems, one fewer personal foul — a big factor for big men — and, yes, a more crowded paint.

It is often difficult for offensively minded swingmen to delve into the paint. That is often left to guards. Perhaps that is why Barnes, still a consensus lottery pick but one whose stock has fallen slightly since he entered school, often looks like he lacks the primacy that the Raptors might be looking for in a wing player.

“It’s because the lane is crowded,” Davis said. “He’s playing in a system. In the NBA, he’ll get more [isolation] plays. He’s more of an iso player.

“He’s got a lot to him. He’s got a lot to his game. And he works … hard … That’s going to help him out a lot.”

Barnes averaged 17.3 points this year, leading the Tar Heels and improving on his freshman year. His field-goal percentage and three-point percentage, 45% and 38% respectively, also shot up. He averaged 15.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in the Tar Heels’ first two tournament wins, with his team playing Ohio on Friday night.

Still, his lack of playmaking skills that are evident at the college level make observers wonder if his skill set is right for the Raptors. Davis said the players try to judge prospects on that level, too.

“We joke about it all the time,” Davis said. “Like, [Kentucky power forward] Anthony Davis might be on our team next year, Harrison [too]. You just talk about it when you’re watching the game, how he would fit in, how he would do in the league.”

FUTURE RAPTORS?

Here is a look how potentially lottery-bound prospects have fared so far in the tournament.

Thomas RobinsonPF, Kansas, juniorDraft Express ranking 3Season statistics 17.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, 52% field goalsTournament statistics 13.5 points, 13 rebounds, 0.5 blocks, 36% field goalsRaptors fit Robinson has had a surprising breakout year, but he is likely not enough of a talent for the Raptors to ship out many of their frontcourt assets.

Andre DrummondC, Connecticut, freshmanDraft Express ranking 4Season statistics 10.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 54% field goalsTournament statistics 2.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.0 blocks, 25% field goalsRaptors fit There is no proof that Drummond is a better prospect than Jonas Valanciunas, whom the Raptors will bring to Toronto next year. Drummond’s Huskies bowed out on the opening day of the tournament.

Jared SullingerC, Ohio State, sophomoreDraft Express ranking 5Season statistics 17.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, 53% field goalsTournament statistics 15.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 39% field goals*Raptors fit Sullinger would immediately have the best post game on the team. It is not clear if the Raptors would want to revamp their offence around him.

Harrison Barnes SF, North Carolina, sophomore
Draft Express ranking 6Season statistics 17.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 45% field goalsTournament statistics 15.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.0 assists, 39% field goalsRaptors fit Barnes would give the Raptors their best shooter from the swingman spots immediately. It is not clear as if he could address their need for a creator, though.

Bradley Beal SG, Florida, freshmanDraft Express ranking 7Season statistics 14.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 43% field goalsTournament statistics 14.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 56% field goals*Raptors fit Despite his lack of size, Beal can be a tenacious defender, and mixes it up in the paint. He might not be able to co-exist with DeMar DeRozan in a starting lineup, however.

Jeremy Lamb SG, Connecticut, sophomoreDraft Express ranking 12Season statistics 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 47% field goalsTournament statistics 19.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.0 assists, 40% field goalsRaptors fit He has a bit more size than Beal, but it less of a physical presence. There is reason to believe he could improve on his 34% three-point accuracy.Statistics before Thursday’s games